Episode 40
Episode 40: An Unusual Response!
Before the release of ‘The Killer’s Shopping Mall,’ opinions among those waiting were divided.
Most people thought it would be very entertaining, but others were skeptical.
"Isn’t this going to ruin the original?"
"Isn’t the trailer the best part?"
"They say it’s all hype with nothing inside…"
There were many who were doubtful.
And it was understandable.
Looking at Ciginy Plus’s track record so far, it made sense.
First, they had a reputation for destroying original works.
The same platform had previously ruined the setting of author Moha’s earlier novel adaptation.
Then there were the trailers.
Ciginy Plus was known for making great trailers—
But only the trailers were good.
People even nicknamed it:
“A platform that only makes good trailers.”
Despite investing heavily in famous actors and top directors, their projects often failed after release.
There was even a phrase:
“Fooled by Ciginy again.”
But this time was different.
"Wow, this is insane! Best drama I’ve seen this year!"
"The action is crazy! I’ve rewatched Baek Seung-chan and Ma Dong-gi’s fight scenes ten times already!"
"The characters match the original perfectly. This is how adaptations should be!"
"It’s been a while since we got a masterpiece."
Right after release, reactions exploded.
Praise for the actors followed.
"The acting is insane. Kang Dong-wook was already good, but the others are amazing too."
"I was worried about a rookie lead, but he doesn’t feel like a rookie at all."
"I knew Ma Dong-gi was good at action, but his acting surprised me."
"Even the supporting actors are great. It feels like a proper drama."
But among them, one person stood out the most.
"Is Baek Seung-chan really a rookie? His emotional acting is incredible."
"He has no lines, but his presence is overwhelming…"
"It feels like he stepped out of the novel—no, he surpassed it."
Just as Director Go Jin-seok expected, Baek Seung-chan left the strongest impression.
Lee Jin, a famous Korean film critic and a friend of Ma Dong-gi, still remembered the shock from first seeing Baek Seung-chan’s acting.
An actor who could fill the screen with presence just by appearing.
Out of the thousands of films he had seen, only about twenty actors had left such a strong impression—
And those were world-class stars.
"Well, it’s still too early to say he’s at that level."
He had only seen Baek Seung-chan in ‘The Outcast Legend.’
"But somehow, I feel like he won’t lose to them."
His instincts told him so.
"Let’s see if I’m right."
He watched ‘The Killer’s Shopping Mall’ as soon as it was released.
"Nice."
From the beginning, the atmosphere and visuals were solid.
Then—
"…Oh."
He held his breath in admiration.
It was the scene where Baek Seung-chan and Ma Dong-gi first faced each other.
The moment Baek Seung-chan appeared, the entire atmosphere changed.
It no longer felt like a drama—
It felt like a film.
"This is interesting."
He watched with a smile.
By the latter half—
"Wow…"
He got chills.
The scene where ‘K’ is injured saving Ji-an, yet smiles in relief.
It was his first smile.
Combined with the perfectly fitting OST,
It conveyed everything.
"How many actors in Korea can create this kind of presence without dialogue?"
He could barely think of any.
Maybe only a few top-tier actors.
After finishing the drama, he sat in silence.
"It’s well made."
Everything worked together—
Story, direction, music, acting.
"This will succeed."
He was certain.
"Releasing all episodes at once was a great decision."
It felt like one long film.
If it had been split weekly, the immersion would’ve broken.
"Time to work."
As a critic, he wrote:
“A work where story, direction, music, and acting come together in harmony. ★★★★”
Then, unusually, he added a comment:
“Baek Seung-chan, an actor with a promising future.”
He wanted to see him on the big screen next.
And he believed it would happen soon.
"By the way… who sang that song?"
The OST had stayed with him.
Especially the songs in the climax.
He checked the album—
"…What?"
His eyes shook.
Another major topic was the OST.
"The OST is amazing."
"I cried listening to K’s theme."
"Both K and Ji-an versions are great."
People were curious about the singers.
Then they found out.
"Baek Seung-chan sang it himself?"
"That’s why it feels so immersive."
"Why is he good at singing too?"
Shock spread.
Then—
"What about Baek Seung-hui?"
People noticed the name.
"Same surname… are they siblings?"
"No way…"
But soon—
It was revealed.
“Baek Seung-hui, the singer-songwriter, is Baek Seung-chan’s sister.”
The buzz exploded.
CEO Ji Pyeong-san smiled.
The response was overwhelming.
Baek Seung-chan was receiving massive attention.
Offers were pouring in.
"And Seung-hui’s song is a hit too."
Both versions of “Glass Doll” entered the charts.
"Both siblings are geniuses…"
He had made the right decision.
"Time to reveal it."
He contacted reporters.
Within minutes, headlines spread.
“Genius siblings?”
The buzz grew even bigger.
The next day—
Articles flooded in.
“#1 in Korea within a day!”
“Entered global top 10!”
“OST dominates charts!”
The industry began to take serious notice.